Ecologists in the Azores made a bittersweet discovery recently. Although they are not normally friendly towards other species, a group of sperm whales seem to have adopted a deformed bottlenose dolphin into their pod.

Because of its scoliosis-like condition, the dolphin may have been bullied by members of its own group. Dolphin social structure is based on strong hierarchies, and because this particular dolphin may not have been the strongest swimmer, it may have been outcast from its own family.

Whatever happened to this dolphin, it seems to be much happier with its new pod. Who knew inter-species friendship could be so genuinely heartwarming?